Scout Lima Beans for Disease

At this time last year downy mildew on lima beans had been seen. So far weather conditions have not been favorable for downy mildew. It looks like the weather may be changing and getting a bit cooler with more dew and possibly fog in the early morning hours. If it should start raining soon growers and crop consultants should be scouting for downy mildew. Race F of Phythophthora phaseoli was the only race identified in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

Preventative applications of 2 lbs fixed copper, 2 lbs Ridomil Gold/Copper, or 3- 4 pts Phostrol have provided control of downy mildew in the past. The newest formulation of fixed copper from DuPont is Kocide 3000 and it performs as well as the other formulations of copper at the rate of 1.3 lbs/A. The best controls continue to be Ridomil/Gold Copper, Phostrol or other labeled phosphonate fungicides, especially when disease pressure is high. Application at flowering or when pods are first forming is recommended if weather is favorable for disease. If disease is present Ridomil/Gold Copper and Phostrol have shown to provide some curative activity if applied when downy mildew is first seen. If downy is present in the field do not use copper fungicides alone for curative control, they will not provide control. Another product that is labeled on lima beans for white mold control is Omega but not downy mildew, but in DE this would be a 2ee use that someone like myself can recommend since the fungicide is labeled on lima beans. I have two years data that show excellent control of downy mildew at 5.5 fl oz and 8.0 fl oz/A as a preventative application (before disease is found in the field). Ridomil Gold/Copper has a national label now so no 24c label is needed. Headline from BASF is also labeled for downy mildew as well. I have tested it and it has provided good control of downy when applied on a 10 day schedule at 6.0 fl oz /A. It does not give as good disease control as Ridomil Gold/Copper or Phostrol preventatively but the yields have been comparable. It is also labeled for anthracnose which the other products do not control.

Downy mildew caused by Phytophthora phaseoli

Downy mildew on raceme and petiole

Phytophthora capsici on lima bean pod.

Phytophthora capsici will infect lima bean pods as well and can look very similar. P. capsici or lima bean pod rot is usually found in wet low spots in the field. The fungus growth looks more granulated or “pebbly” than downy mildew, microscopic confirmation is encouraged.

Downy mildew on the upper pod and lima bean pod rot on the lower pod. Note the granular appearance of the fungus on the lower pod and the lack of a reddish brown border on the pod infected with lima bean pod rot or Phytophthora capsici.

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on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 11:44 am and is filed under Uncategorized.
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